Privacy ensuring camera enclosure

ABSTRACT

A privacy ensuring camera enclosure with a camera enclosing configuration and a surveillance configuration wherein the camera enclosing configuration entirely surrounds a surveillance camera such that it is visibly removed from a privacy sensitive area, thereby preserving the expected level of privacy in the privacy sensitive area; the enclosure is configured to dynamically change from the camera enclosing configuration to the surveillance configuration in response to a heightened threat level.

BACKGROUND

Surveillance or monitoring apparatuses often use at least one videocamera, allowing surveillance images to be viewed and/or recorded at aremote location. For example, an industrial facility, a public school,or a medical facility may have several video cameras at variouslocations throughout the facility, each camera being communicativelycoupled to a respective video screen at one or more central securitystation(s).

More recently, video cameras have been developed that can be coupled toa computer hosting any number of software programs capable of convertingvideo images received from the video cameras into a digital format, orin other words a document compatible with the Internet standard known asthe world wide web (www). Further, personal communication devices suchas cellular phones, pagers, and personal digital assistants (PDAs) arebecoming increasingly popular commercial products, as wirelesscommunication technology becomes widespread and affordable.Additionally, a number of cellular phone manufacturers are manufacturingand selling camera phones or other smart phones having video displayscapable of displaying received images or camera capabilities capable ofgenerating desired images. Consequently, it is possible to transmit asurveillance image from a known video camera to a personal communicationdevice using image conversion software.

The use of the ever improving monitoring and imaging devices that may beused for security and surveillance are tempered by the concept of anindividual's right to privacy. That is, there are a number of locations,such as within restrooms, changing rooms, and even classrooms, wherepermanently active monitoring devices are not appropriate. However, whenhigh risk situations such as shootings, hostage situations, or naturaldisasters occur, an individual's right to privacy may be superseded by aneed for surveillance.

While existing monitoring systems have traditionally been adequate fortheir intended purposes, they have not been satisfactory in allrespects. For example, and as mentioned above, when a high risksituation occurs, traditional monitoring systems do not provide aconvenient way for the owner or authorities to monitor previouslyrestricted locations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of theprinciples described herein and are a part of the specification. Theillustrated embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the scopeof the claims.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a surveillance camera and housing, according toprinciples described herein.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are frontal views of a surveillance camera andhousing, according to principles described herein.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional diagram of a surveillance camera andhousing, according to principles described herein.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are a partially cut away side view and a bottomview, respectively, of an exemplary surveillance camera and housing in aretracted position, according to principles described herein.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are a partially cut away side view and a bottomview, respectively, of an exemplary surveillance camera and housing inan operation configuration, according to principles described herein.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are a partially cut away side view and a bottomview, respectively, of an exemplary surveillance camera and housing in aretracted position, according to principles described herein.

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are a partially cut away side view and a bottomview, respectively, of an exemplary surveillance camera and housing inan operation configuration, according to principles described herein.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating one exemplary method of selectivelymonitoring a privacy sensitive area using a privacy ensuring cameraenclosure, according to the principles described herein.

Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar,but not necessarily identical, elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present systems and methods. It will be apparent,however, to one skilled in the art that the present apparatus, systemsand methods may be practiced without these specific details. Referencein the specification to “an embodiment,” “an example” or similarlanguage means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment or example is included in atleast that one embodiment, but not necessarily in other embodiments. Thevarious instances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or similar phrasesin various places in the specification are not necessarily all referringto the same embodiment.

An exemplary privacy ensuring camera enclosure promotes the privacy ofindividuals within the privacy sensitive area, while allowing criticalvideo surveillance to occur during times of crisis. In one exemplaryembodiment, the camera enclosure contains the camera behind opaquedoors. In this state, the camera is not visible to the individualswithin the privacy sensitive area and has no means of optically sensingactivities outside the camera enclosure. During times of elevatedthreat, the opaque doors can be opened and the camera can be extendedthrough the opening to acquire surveillance footage. The extended camerabecomes immediately visible when extended, alerting individuals thatthey no longer can expect privacy within the privacy sensitive area.Thus, the enclosure provides privacy for the individuals when the opaquedoors are closed while allowing the camera to be extended during timesof elevated threat. By visibly retracting the camera from the room orother area under surveillance, the individuals are reassured that theyare not under surveillance. The right to privacy is insured until theprivacy threshold is exceeded for a particular privacy sensitive area.

In one exemplary embodiment, the camera enclosure can be part of aselectively enabled threat based information system. As detailed in Ser.No. 11/717,806, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety, a surveillance system assigns a privacy threshold to privacysensitive areas, receives a current threat level indicator, compares thecurrent threat level indicator to the privacy threshold, and if thecurrent threat level indicator exceeds the privacy threshold, identifiessurveillance components associated with the privacy sensitive areas andactivates the identified surveillance components. In one exemplaryembodiment, the privacy ensuring camera enclosure and the containedcamera can be selectively activated surveillance components. Activatingthe surveillance camera comprises, among other things, opening theopaque doors covering the surveillance camera or otherwise opticallyadmitting the camera into the privacy sensitive area.

By way of example, a school may contain a variety of privacy sensitiveareas. Cafeterias, libraries, hallways, lobbies, doors, and schoolgrounds are areas where only minimal privacy is required or expected byindividuals. However, classrooms, bathrooms, locker rooms, and officesare areas where significant privacy is required for individuals tocomfortably perform activities such as teaching, counseling, opendiscussions, dressing, etc. The intrusion of security cameras into theseprivacy sensitive areas, absent a significant threat, will have anegative impact on the function of the school. The use of privacyensuring camera enclosures removes surveillance cameras from the privacysensitive area until a threat level rises above the privacy thresholdvalue, thereby preserving the normal functioning and expectation ofprivacy of individuals within the privacy sensitive area.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a surveillance camera (120) and itsassociated housing (110) and mount (140). The mount (140) is secured inthe desired location to a support member (not shown). The support membermay consist of a wall, post, floor, ceiling or other suitable object.The mount (140) may be secured to the support member by any number ofappropriate means including fasteners, adhesives, bands, or other means.The mount may consist of a plurality of parts, including a stationarybase, adjustable components, and an attachment point. The adjustablecomponents may allow the camera (120) and the enclosure (110) to bepointed in the appropriate orientation and/or adjusted to optimize thecamera's position. The mount may also incorporate a variety ofmechanisms and actuators such as motorized pan or tilt stages.

The surveillance camera (120) is typically housed inside an enclosure(110). The enclosure (110) controls the internal environment in whichthe camera operates. The enclosure can be used to control temperature,humidity, and stray light. In addition, enclosures can protect thecamera from a variety of environmental hazards such as dust, wind,projectiles, and vandalism. In some cases the enclosure (130) isspecifically designed to hide or camouflage the camera (120). Theenclosure can include power and communication connections, a sun screento limit the amount of sunlight incident on the camera, fans, filters toallow the exchange of air within the enclosure, wipers to clean awindow, and other accessories.

Typically, the enclosure includes a viewing port (130) through which thecamera observes the surroundings. The viewing port (130) can comprise anaperture in the enclosure wall that is covered by glass or anothertransparent medium. In some cases, it may be desirable to cover orobscure the viewing port (130) to prevent the camera (120) from viewingthe surroundings, thereby protecting the privacy of the individuals in aprivacy sensitive area.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3 show a variety of methods of obscuring the viewingport (130) to restrict the view of the camera contained within theenclosure (110). FIG. 2A shows the viewing port (130) obscured by avariable pinhole mechanism (200). The variable pinhole mechanism (200)comprises a plurality of sliding metal plates that can be opened andclosed by means of a mechanical or electrical actuator. When the platesare in the closed position, the orifice through which the camera viewsthe surroundings becomes very small or nonexistent.

FIG. 2B shows a viewing port (130) covered with electrochromic glass(210). Electrochromic glass (210) changes its light transmissionproperties in response to voltage and thus controls the amount of lightthat pass through the electrochromic glass. By applying a voltage to theelectrochromic glass (210), the electrochromic glass (210) can becomeopaque, thereby limiting the light that that is transmitted to thecamera (120).

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional diagram a camera (120) and enclosure(110) wherein the enclosure (110) includes a first mechanical door (300)and a second mechanical door (330) that slide on door tracks (310, 320).As shown in FIG. 3, the doors (300, 330) can be moved forward and infront of the camera to obscure the viewing port (130). When the camerais in use, the doors (300, 330) are mechanically or electrically movedalong the door tracks (310, 320) to the sides of the camera (120). Thisallows the camera (120) to view the surroundings through the nowunobscured viewing port (130).

All of these methods can be effective in obscuring the view of thecamera and in factually preventing surveillance that unnecessarilyintrudes on the privacy of individuals within the privacy sensitivearea. However, the camera (120) remains physically present in theprivacy sensitive area and continues to have a chilling effect on theprivate activities of the individuals. Further, the methods of obscuringthe viewing port (130) are largely unobservable to the individuals. Bydirect observation, it can be difficult or impossible to determine ifthe camera is in operation or if the viewing port is obscured. Further,the viewing port may be opened without any overt visual indication tothe individual that the camera is commencing surveillance operations.Thus, the described cameras and enclosures have the effect of literallyintruding on the privacy of individuals even if the viewing aperture isobscured or the camera is not in operation. This intrusion can beunacceptable in environments such as classrooms, restrooms, medicalareas, counseling centers, and other locations where privacy is animportant behavioral prerequisite. For example, the surveillance of theinterior of a restroom would an inappropriate invasion of privacy in allbut the most extreme circumstances.

The need to preserve the safety of individuals can act ascounterbalancing consideration when considering surveillance of aprivacy sensitive area. A wide variety of threats, such as terrorists,gunmen, or fire, can be present in areas that are typically notappropriate locations for continuous surveillance. When the threat tothe individuals' safety exceeds the need for privacy, it can beappropriate to initiate surveillance of the area. Thus, there is a clearneed for an apparatus that is configured to visibly remove the inactivecamera from privacy sensitive areas during normal activities, but iscapable of quickly deploying a surveillance camera to mitigate asignificant threat. When the threat level exceeds a certain threshold,the apparatus visibly reintroduces the camera into the area to assessthe threat.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B illustrate one exemplary embodiment of a privacyensuring camera enclosure. FIG. 4A shows a partial cutaway side view ofthe privacy ensuring camera enclosure (400). In this exemplaryembodiment, the camera enclosure (400) is attached to an upper surface(410). The camera enclosure (400) consists of a base (420), atelescoping cover (430) and a plurality of sliding panels (440, 450).The base (420) is attached to the upper surface (410). The base (420)can be attached by a variety of methods including fasteners or adhesive.The base (420) may also include electrical feed throughs for power andcommunication cables.

The telescoping cover (430) is slidably attached to the base (420) suchthat the telescoping cover (430) can be extended to maximize the volumewithin the enclosure (400) or retracted to reduce the volume surroundedby the enclosure (400). FIG. 4B shows a bottom view of the enclosure(400). The telescoping cover (430) includes an aperture (480) in itsbottom surface. A plurality of sliding panels (440, 450) is configuredto selectively cover the aperture (480). In FIGS. 4A and 4B, the slidingpanels (440, 450) are shown in a closed configuration. In the closedconfiguration the sliding panels (440, 450) are adjacent to one anotherand cover the aperture (480).

In the closed position a camera (460) is entirely contained within theenclosure (400). Because the camera is visibly absent from the privacysensitive area, the negative intrusion on the privacy of the individualsis minimized. The camera (460) is attached to the base (420) by apedestal (470). In one exemplary embodiment, the camera (460) is anoff-the-shelf dome CCTV camera. The dome CCTV camera can be configuredwith a plurality of gimbaled stages that allow the camera to be pointedthroughout a range of angles.

As indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the telescoping cover(430) can be retracted into the base (420) and the sliding panels (440,450) opened. The camera (460) then visibly protrudes out of theenclosure (400) as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. By sliding the telescopingcover (430) into the base (420), the height of the enclosure (400) isreduced and the camera (460) extends out of the aperture (480). When thecamera (400) is deployed in the manner described above, it enters theprivacy sensitive area and can begin operation. The individuals withinthe privacy sensitive area can immediately ascertain that the camera(460) has entered the area and is in operation.

After the threat level has been reduced, the enclosure (400) can againbe actuated to envelope the camera (460). As shown by the arrows inFIGS. 5A and 5B, the telescoping cover (430) is extended and the slidingpanels (440, 450) are brought together to cover the aperture (480). Thetelescoping cover (430) and sliding panels (440, 450) can be actuated ina variety of fashions. In one exemplary embodiment, the telescopingcover (430) and the sliding panels (440, 450) could be manually ormechanically actuated. According to another embodiment, separateelectrical actuators could be used actuate the telescoping cover (430)and sliding panels (440, 450). Alternatively, one electrical actuatorwith mechanical linkages could move both the telescoping cover (430) andsliding panels (440, 450).

FIGS. 6A through 7B show one exemplary embodiment of a privacy ensuringcamera enclosure (600) that is configured to be mounted through asupport plate (610). In one exemplary embodiment the support plate (610)may be ceiling tile, drywall attached to the ceiling of a building,plywood, or another building element. FIG. 6A shows a partial cutawayside view of the privacy ensuring camera enclosure (600). The cameraenclosure (600) consists of a base (620), a telescoping cover (630) anda plurality of sliding panels (640, 650). The base (620) is attached tothe support plate (610) such that a large portion of the enclosure (600)resides above the support plate (610). According to this exemplaryembodiment, the camera (660) is oriented within the enclosure to providesurveillance of the area below the support plate (610). In otherembodiments, the camera (660) and enclosure (600) could be oriented toprovide surveillance of the area above the support plate (610).

The telescoping cover (630) is slidably attached to the base (620) suchthat the telescoping cover (630) can be extended to maximize the volumewithin the enclosure (600) or retracted to reduce the volume surroundedby the enclosure (600). As described previously, the telescoping cover(630) can consist of an aperture (680) and a plurality of sliding panels(640, 650) configured to selectively cover the aperture (680). In FIGS.6A and 6B, telescoping cover is shown in its fully extended position.When the telescoping cover (630) is fully extended, the enclosure (600)encloses a volume that extends above and below the support plate (610)and entirely contains the camera (660). In the closed configuration, thesliding panels (640, 650) are adjacent to one another and cover theaperture (680). The enclosure (600) has an innocuous visual appearancein its closed position and is unlikely to intrude on the privacy ofindividuals.

As indicated by the arrows in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the telescoping cover(630) can be retracted into the base (620) and the sliding panels (650,640) can be opened. By sliding the telescoping cover (630) into the base(620), the height of the enclosure (600) is reduced and the camera (660)extends out of the aperture (680). FIGS. 7A and 7B show the telescopingportion (630) of the enclosure (600) retracted and the camera (660)deployed into the privacy sensitive area. The camera (660) visiblyprotrudes out of the enclosure (400) as shown in FIG. 7A. According toone exemplary embodiment, the telescoping cover (630) is substantiallyflush with the support plate (610). Because the camera (660) now visiblyextends into the privacy sensitive area, individuals can immediatelyascertain that the camera (660) has entered the area and is inoperation.

After the threat level has been reduced, the enclosure (600) can againbe actuated to envelope the camera (660). As shown by the arrows inFIGS. 7A and 7B, the telescoping cover (630) is extended and the slidingpanels (640, 650) are brought together to cover the aperture (680). Asmentioned above, the telescoping cover (430) and sliding panels (440,450) can be actuated by a variety of mechanisms and in a variety offashions.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method of selective surveillance within a privacysensitive area. A privacy ensuring camera enclosure is obtained andmounted in proximity to a privacy sensitive area (step 800). Asmentioned above, the enclosure can be mounted in a variety of locationsand orientations. By way of example and not limitation, the enclosurecould be mounted on wall, ceiling, item of furniture such as a cabinet,or on a pole. Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 6A through 7B, theenclosure could be partially or completely recessed into the supportstructure.

A surveillance camera is then mounted within the privacy ensuring cameraenclosure (step 810). The surveillance camera can be any availablecameras suitable for the specific surveillance environment. Thenecessary connections to the surveillance camera, such as power andcommunication cabling, can be made. In one exemplary embodiment, noexternal power or connections are required. In this embodiment, abattery powered camera is wirelessly configured to transmit imagery to aremote base station.

The privacy ensuring camera enclosure is then configured in a firstenclosed configuration (step 820). As discussed above, the securitycamera is not visible to individuals when the enclosure is in theenclosed configuration and does not significantly intrude on theperception of privacy of the individuals within the privacy sensitivearea.

The privacy sensitive area is then assigned a privacy threshold valuecorresponding to the level of privacy that is conducive to the normalactivities that occur within the area. For example, in an educationsetting, a library area may have a lower privacy threshold than arestroom or locker room area. Thus a correspondingly higher threat levelwould be required exceed the privacy threshold value of the restroom orlocker room area.

The threat level is then received (step 840). The threat level may bereceive from a variety of sources including but not limited to Federal,State, and Local governments such as the Homeland Security AdvisorySystem for terrorist threats (HSAS) or the National Oceanic &Atmospheric Administration for natural disasters (NOAA). Further,manually authorized threat level sources may include, but are in no waylimited to supervisors, principals, or other supervisory personnel.Additionally, the threat level can be received from panic buttons,emergency transmitters, fire alarms, or other communication devices. Theinputs from these sources can be combined and/or analyzed to determinethe applicability of the information to the privacy sensitive area. Thecombination of the threat communications as applied to the privacysensitive area can generate a specific threat level.

If the specific threat level exceeds the privacy threshold value, theprivacy ensuring enclosure can be dynamically reconfigured to a secondsurveillance configuration (step 850). As previously described, thetelescoping cover is retracted into the base and the aperture cover canbe opened to allow the camera to be deployed into the privacy sensitivearea. The camera visibly protrudes out of the enclosure and individualscan immediately ascertain that the surveillance camera is in operation.

When the specific threat level is reduced below the privacy thresholdlevel of the privacy sensitive area, the privacy ensuring cameraenclosure can be returned to its first enclosed configuration (step860), thereby removing the camera from the privacy sensitive area.

The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate anddescribe embodiments and examples of the principles described. Thisdescription is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theseprinciples to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teaching.

1. A privacy ensuring camera enclosure comprising: a base, a cameracoupled to said base, wherein said camera has a fixed height; atelescoping cover moveably coupled to said base, wherein saidtelescoping cover is configured to selectively telescope relative tosaid camera, wherein said telescoping cover includes at least onesliding panel configured to selectively translate from a first positionto a second position, wherein said first position orients saidtelescoping cover over said camera to optically cover said camera toprevent operation of said camera; and wherein said second positiontranslates said at least one sliding panel to reduce the height of saidtelescoping cover below said fixed height of said camera to enableoperation of said camera.
 2. The privacy ensuring camera enclosure ofclaim 1 wherein said telescoping cover is configured to extend to fullyand visibly envelop said camera when said at least one sliding panel isin said first position.
 3. The privacy ensuring camera enclosure ofclaim 2 wherein said telescoping cover further comprises an aperture,and wherein said at least one sliding panel is configured to cover saidaperture when said telescoping cover is extended to envelop said camerain said first position.
 4. The privacy ensuring camera enclosure ofclaim 3 wherein said telescoping cover retracts into said base to exposesaid camera.
 5. The privacy ensuring camera enclosure of claim 4 whereinsaid at least one sliding panel is slidably actuated to uncover saidaperture to enable retraction of said telescoping cover into said base.6. The privacy ensuring camera enclosure of claim 5 wherein said cameraprotrudes through said aperture when said telescoping cover is in thesaid second position.
 7. A dynamic camera enclosure having a cameraenclosing configuration and a surveillance configuration; wherein saiddynamic camera enclosure includes a fixed base, a surveillance cameracoupled to said base, and at least one optically opaque sliding paneldisposed on said dynamic camera enclosure, said at least one slidingpanel being configured to slideably translate out of said base toselectively cover said camera when in said camera enclosingconfiguration, and to slideably translate into said fixed base to revealsaid camera when in said surveillance configuration.
 8. The dynamiccamera enclosure of claim 7 wherein said camera enclosing configurationentirely surrounds said surveillance camera with said optically opaquesliding panel such that said surveillance camera is visibly removed froma privacy sensitive area.
 9. The dynamic camera enclosure of claim 8wherein said surveillance configuration includes sufficient translationof said optically opaque sliding panel into said base to visibly exposesaid surveillance camera and enable said camera to acquire surveillanceinformation.
 10. The dynamic camera enclosure of claim 9 wherein saiddynamic camera enclosure is configured to be remotely actuated betweensaid camera enclosing configuration and said surveillance configurationin response to a change in a threat level.
 11. The dynamic cameraenclosure of claim 10 wherein said camera enclosing configurationcomprises extending a telescoping section of said camera enclosure andcovering an aperture.
 12. The dynamic camera enclosure of claim 11wherein said dynamic camera enclosure transitions from said enclosingposition to said surveillance configuration by retracting saidtelescoping section and uncovering said aperture.
 13. A privacy ensuringcamera enclosure comprising: a ceiling mounted support plate configuredto define a ceiling plane; a base coupled to said ceiling mountedsupport plate; a camera coupled to said base, wherein said camera ismounted on said base below said ceiling mounted support plate; atelescoping cover moveably coupled to said base, wherein saidtelescoping cover is configured to selectively telescope relative tosaid ceiling mounted support plate and said camera, wherein saidtelescoping cover includes at least one sliding panel that is configuredto selectively translate from a first position to a second position,wherein said first position orients said telescoping cover around saidcamera to optically cover said camera; and wherein said second positiontranslates said at least one sliding panel to withdraw said telescopingaway from said camera to enable operation of said camera.
 14. Theprivacy ensuring camera enclosure of claim 13 wherein said telescopingcover is configured to extend fully to visibly envelop said camera whensaid at least one sliding panel is in said first position.
 15. Theprivacy ensuring camera enclosure of claim 13 wherein said telescopingcover defines an aperture, and wherein said at least one sliding panelis configured to eliminate said aperture when said telescoping cover isextended to envelop said camera in said first position.
 16. The privacyensuring camera enclosure of claim 13 wherein said telescoping coverretracts into said base to expose said camera below said ceiling plane.17. The privacy ensuring camera enclosure of claim 16 wherein saidcamera is vertically fixed relative to said ceiling mounted supportplate.
 18. The privacy ensuring camera enclosure of claim 17 whereinsaid camera visibly protrudes from said base when said telescoping coveris in said second position.